"Commander... it's time for the mission," a soft voice whispered to him. "Hey~ Commander~"

  With the voice right near his ear, the Commander jolted awake, only to find his auburn-haired lover sitting beside him on the bed, her eyes filled with love as she gazed at him.

  As the days passed following his initial experience with the dream, his mood grew more somber. Though his mind remained strong and he felt no need to seek counsel, maintaining the facade of a normal person was becoming increasingly difficult.

  And today was the day—the mission at Arcana Sanctum, where he would py a central role in the expedition.

  Soyuz and Rossiya had informed him just yesterday that a fleet from the front lines would be joining to support him on this mission. It wasn’t much of a secret who would be involved, and Belorussiya had also returned from the front. Sovetskaya Belorussiya, a Sovetsky Soyuz-css battleship like her sister, was one of the main fgships of her own fleet. It's given he would be involved due to the Siren's pn.

  Honestly, not much was known beyond the surface of the pn. He understood that each step Observer took was calcuted, yet she was treading a dangerous line—one that could easily lead to her downfall if she wasn't careful. Observer Zero, or simply Zero. If Zero ever became aware of what Observer was attempting, she would be shut down immediately.

  And besides, the Commander saw it, Observer Zero is also the one who is involved in that process of experimentation. Something that even surpassed his own knowledge about himself. He might connect the dots and get the answer if he personally meet Zero but knowing how ANTI-X works, it won't be so easy.

  After dressing up and having breakfast, he arrived at the port with his carrier, where he was greeted by Avrora, who stood nearby, ready and waiting for the Commander’s arrival.

  "Commander, Доброе утро," Avrora greeted him with a warm smile.

  "Morning too, Avrora." He replied with a wave and a soft smile.

  "Good morning, Comrade~ Have you been enjoying your time here with us, away from the front lines?" the cruiser asked curiously, her azure eyes briefly gncing at the girl beside him.

  "Well, first off, the food is great. The room is also spacious and clean; I honestly like the design," he replied, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Aside from the white ndscape, which I still need to get used to, everything's been nice. Even the hot bath."

  "Hehe~ I'm gd we could make you comfortable," the braided girl replied with high spirits.

  "Everyone has been treating me with such care and consideration. And with how quickly time flies, I'll definitely come back when I have the chance," he said with a smile, then looked at her with a hint of concern. "By the way, how are things on the front lines? I heard it's quite intense, even Voroshilov and Kursk were sent there yesterday."

  The cruiser waved her hand dismissively. "It's just how it is. I understand your desire to assist them, but it's best for us to handle it personally. You've done your part, and now it’s the Northern Parliament’s turn."

  "I'll trust you, then," the Commander replied. "Anyway, time to get on the command ship." He gnced at Volga and gave her a nod. Understanding the signal, Volga leaped into the water, summoning her rigging, while Greynar made his way onto the command ship. "Lead us to our meeting point, Avrora."

  "Certainly." The cruiser bowed before slipping into the water as well, sailing toward Belorussiya's location.

  After they arrived at the designated location, Greynar was immediately greeted by the azure-haired battleship standing on the dock of the base.

  "Greetings, Comrade Commander," she said, saluting him with crisp precision.

  Greynar returned the salute with equal formality. "Hello, Bellorussiya."

  The girl stood alongside Kirov, who had just finished moving some supplies onto the supply ships. They were preparing to discuss their pns for the next movement, as his fleet would soon be heading to a location designated as the "Secret Room."

  According to recent movements by the Sirens, they were aware of the Commander's presence and had attempted to attack the Northern Parliament's base directly. Their strategy had begun to colpse and become increasingly aggressive following Omitter's defeat at the hands of the Royal Navy.

  "Comrade Commander, this is the room. We will conduct the mission briefing here today." Belorussiya opened the door to reveal the Por fleets and other ships standing by inside the room. They had all gathered for this one mission. A distraction pn.

  Belorussiya and Rossiya began expining their mission: to transport the Commander to Arcana Sanctum, a location some distance away. The pn was to draw the Sirens away from the base, distracting them precisely at the Winter's Crown, which used to be Purifier's base.

  Greynar was the key and core component of this mission, as Soyuz had personally stated that he would be essential to their success at Arcana Sanctum. It was no wonder that everyone in the room was brimming with fierce determination to make this mission work.

  The Sirens had moved most of their fleets directly above the Arcana Sanctum area, hindering their mission. The Northern Parliament pnned to take advantage of this by unching a direct attack on the core as a distraction. While the main body advanced toward the core, Belorussiya's fleet would assist the Commander throughout the entire process, escorting him to Arcana Sanctum.

  What would follow was a battle of attrition between the mass-produced ships and the Sirens' Mark II.

  Until then, their main objective was to distract the Sirens, using several mass-produced ships as sacrificial shields for the mission. No one objected, and the pn was set. Everyone would participate—Rossiya, Tashkent, and Chapayev would lead the operation from three different sections to distract the Sirens by attacking the Winter's Crown, while Kirov and Gremyashchy would accompany the Commander and rendezvous with Tallinn’s garrison fleet before entering Arcana Sanctum.

  As they made their way to Arcana Sanctum, Belorussiya gnced at him with curious concern.

  "Comrade Commander, you’ve been unusually quiet. Is something troubling you?" she asked.

  Greynar, still gazing at the icy waters, replied, "I’ve just been wondering... Why is it called Arcana Sanctum, or the 'Secret Room'? Is there any history behind the name? From what I know, it’s a top-secret location that even Eagle Union or Iron Blood intel hasn’t uncovered yet."

  Hearing his question, the battleship woman looked at him with surprise. "Oh? A keen observation," she remarked. "The nature of the 'Secret Room' is indeed unique. Even in our internal combat briefings, we have to be extremely cautious. If any unmodified intelligence were to spread, it could cause serious complications..."

  Kirov chimed in from behind him. "Say, Comrade, do you know when and how the first shipgirls were born?"

  Greynar stole a gnce at her before replying. "Well, the Sirens invaded, and Azur Lane was formed to fight them, right? Shortly after, the factions came together and produced the Wisdom Cube, and that’s when the shipgirls appeared to defeat the Sirens. The tides of war flipped that day, ever since shipgirls came into existence."

  "Correct," Kirov acknowledged, "But that’s only the publicly disclosed version of events. It’s only a half-truth."

  Greynar raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

  "As I said, the full story hasn’t been disclosed. The common belief is that the Wisdom Cube came first, then the shipgirls—but in reality, the two appeared around the same time," Kirov expined.

  "Was this reted to what I was wondering, perhaps?" The Commander curiously asked.

  Kirov nodded as Belorussiya took over, her tone measured. "The detailed expnation will have to wait, leaving a bit of suspense for now. But assuming what you’ve heard is true, Commander," she paused, her gaze fixed on him, "which ship do you think was the first to be created?"

  Greynar paused to think before answering, "If I had to guess, I'd say it was the three old shipgirls, right?"

  The woman with pearly blue eyes nodded approvingly. "It seems you've done your own research. Yes, you're correct. It was them, the first three." Belorussiya paused before continuing. "Anyway, after getting this information, we returned to the area where the first ship was born and conducted an in-depth exploration, and then discovered the existence of the 'Secret Room' during the investigation."

  "The Sirens probably never expected that you guys were digging deeper into their secrets," he said with a teasing smirk.

  The woman ughed lightly, "It was by utilizing the vast amount of information recovered from the 'Secret Room' that our Northern Parliament managed to restore its combat capabilities in a remarkably short time after suffering heavy losses to the Sirens."

  Kirov chimed in, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "And the surprising part is that the 'Secret Room' we discovered was actually part of the Sirens' stronghold. That's why our equipment could be advanced as it is right now."

  “...Is this experience the reason the Northern Parliament has been so unclear about how to approach Siren technology since then?” the Commander inquired, his brow furrowing as he recalled how he’d noticed the unsettling simirities between Siren technology and that of Iron Blood during his stay.

  The women nodded in agreement. “It must be challenging for the Eagle Union and the Royal Navy to comprehend what it feels like to be pushed to the brink of annihition by a formidable enemy, clinging desperately to the st vestiges of hope. Around that same time, the Command successfully developed and mass-produced the Wisdom Cube. What followed was the history we all know well, various factions harnessed the power of the Wisdom Cube to construct fleets of shipgirls, turning the tide of a war that was on the verge of colpse,” Kirov expined.

  “Are you implying that the development of the Wisdom Cube hinged upon whatever was in that Sanctum?” he shot another question at her.

  “No, that’s not quite what I’m getting at. We had no hand in the development of the Wisdom Cube, and the resources recovered from the Sanctum didn’t contain any records of Wisdom Cubes either,” she expined. “At this stage, I tend to think that these two things are unreted. However, the fact that the Wisdom Cube and the shipgirls appeared almost simultaneously is enough to provoke thought, don’t you think?”

  “Hmmm... I guess you’re right,” the Commander replied, deep in thought as he considered the matter.

  Kirov gave a quick nod before turning to leave, heading to join the vanguard fleet at the front. Now alone with Belorussiya, the Commander shifted his focus to the task at hand. Volga’s recon pnes had just reported back, spotting several Siren fleets in the distance—likely stationed near the border of Arcana Sanctum.

  "They're being recalled to Winter's Crown," Belorussiya commented, her voice steady as she spoke into her communicator. "Gremyashchy, it's your turn. Mow them down."

  The instant her command reverberated through the air, a blinding fsh of light sliced across the horizon, too fast for the eye to track. In a heartbeat, the frontmost Siren ship erupted into a fiery wreckage. Amidst the chaos, a fleeting silhouette—a small girl—appeared momentarily, only to vanish again with blinding speed. She darted from ship to ship, each encounter ending in a devastating explosion as the Sirens crumbled beneath her swift and lethal assaults.

  Gremyashchy, a Grozny-css destroyer, was a force of nature in motion. Wielding her chained Morning Star with deadly precision, she harnessed her unmatched speed to swing the heavy weapon in a blur of motion. The chain of the Morning Star whipped through the air, gaining momentum with each strike, as she used her speed and strength to unch high-speed attacks against the Sirens. Each blow nded with crushing force, tearing through the enemy ships like paper, leaving behind a trail of destruction in her wake.

  The Commander’s voice crackled over the communicator. "Gremyashchy, watch your 5 o'clock—Siren fighter incoming. Now 4 o'clock, 10, and 5..." His instructions came rapid-fire, his focus locked on the battlefield.

  With each call, Gremyashchy's movements became even more precise. She darted through the chaos, reacting instantly to his commands, her Morning Star swinging like a whirlwind. Among all the destroyers he had ever commanded, she was unmatched in her speed and reflexes, moving with a fluidity that made it seem as though she could predict the enemy’s movements before they even happened.

  As the small girl finished her task, the battlefield littered with the wreckage of Siren ships, Greynar's voice came through the comms again, this time softer. "Great work, Gremyashchy. I’m impressed by your skill out there."

  The destroyer, still catching her breath, replied casually, "Mm, think nothing of it. Just doing my job, after all." There was no boast in her tone—just a quiet, almost humble confidence, as if crushing enemies with her weapon was as routine as breathing.

  "Gremyashchy here is the ace in our deck," Kirov chimed in, there was a note of pride in voice. "Among the destroyers, she’s earned the title of Guardian from the Northern Parliament echelon. Not just anyone gets that honor."

  Greynar gnced at Kirov, then back at Gremyashchy. "If I recall correctly... the Guardian title is reserved for those who have achieved major accomplishments, right?"

  Kirov nodded, a proud smile forming on her lips. "Exactly. It’s not just handed out. Only those who’ve proven themselves through exceptional feats and have shown unwavering loyalty earn that title. Gremyashchy’s reputation isn’t just for show—she’s earned it in blood and steel."

  "But now that I think about it," Greynar mused, his brow furrowing, "why didn’t I see her during the attack on Winter’s Crown?"

  Belorussiya stepped in with an expnation. "Gremyashchy’s been primarily stationed along the Arctic naval routes. Her expertise has kept her there, ensuring the safety of vital passages. It’s only recently that we had her transferred to assist with our current operations."

  Kirov, ever pyful, added with a teasing smile, "It’s only fitting, wouldn’t you say? A guardian like her, sent to protect someone as important as you, Comrade~"

  The Commander chuckled softly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I suppose it is fitting. And there's no doubt about it, she's an exceptionally strong destroyer." His eyes flicked back to the horizon, the wreckage of the fallen Sirens still smoldering in the distance.

  With the decision made to press onward before the Sirens could regroup, the fleet sailed steadily toward Arcana Sanctum. A few obstacles arose—Siren patrols attempting to block their path—but Kirov and Belorussiya swiftly took care of any nearby threats, their firepower devastating the enemy ships with precision. Behind them, Volga remained vigint, using her sonar pnes to detect any lurking Siren submarines, ensuring none could approach unnoticed.

  Upon their arrival, they were greeted by a girl cd in furred clothing and a charming hat, her heterochromatic eyes gleaming beautifully as she waved to them from afar. The sight of her was striking, her unique gaze drawing immediate attention, one eye a vibrant shade of amber, the other a cool, icy blue. She exuded an air of warmth amidst the cold ndscape, her presence both welcoming and curious.

  "Good morning, Comrade~! I’m Murmansk, from the fleet responsible for the Sanctum’s defense," she greeted, her warm smile brightening the chilly air. "The fgship of the defense fleet, Tallinn, is currently busy with command, so I’ll be overseeing your safe docking. Right this way~!"

  As the Commander stepped off the ship, he turned to her, his brow slightly furrowed. "What’s the current situation?"

  Murmansk paused for a moment, considering her words. "Hmm... It seems Sovetskaya Rossiya might have already initiated her offensive. The Sirens have started to behave quite differently today. But, we haven’t seen them pull their forces back as we were hoping. Instead, their attacks have been more ferocious than ever..."

  As they walked along the hallway, Kirov chimed in, "After unching an attack on their base, Omitter showed some signs of being flustered. Instead of pulling her fleet back, though, she doubled down on the offensive. Despite her clownish demeanor, that scrap metal really knows how to take charge."

  "It’s certainly the correct decision," Belorussiya remarked. "Instead of backing down, they're ramping up their offensive attacks against us, given that their ships are disposable."

  "And as long as we eliminate the remaining forces here, we can surely secure Arcana Sanctum for ourselves," Kirov added with a confident smirk.

  "Agreed. Now that I’m here, we can quickly dispose of the Sirens in the area," Greynar said, his voice steady. However, his gaze drifted beyond the immediate chaos, lost in thought.

  'Arcana Sanctum... Inside there, a pce called City of Light will be our key part on this operation.' He pondered silently.

  "Mm~ That’s what Tallinn had in mind as well," Murmansk said, gncing back at the Commander with a mixture of confidence and concern. "Our fleet is currently holding the enemy at bay from several directions. I’d love to py it cool and say we have everything under control, but to be honest, the fighting is really fierce out there, and we could use the help..."

  She turned to face him directly, her expression earnest. "So, Comrade, I hope you’ll be able to lend us your aid and protect the Sanctum!"

  Snapping back to reality, Greynar nodded. "Of course. It's what I need to do first before proceeding with the mission."

  Murmansk's face lit up with a bright smile at his response. "Ehehe~ Fortunately for you, the view inside the Sanctum is simply stunning. Once we clear out the enemies, I’ll show you exactly what I mean~"

  He gnced at Volga and nodded. The carrier had been silently controlling her pnes this whole time, surveying how many enemies they were up against. It was time to make the Sirens fail from achieving their objective.